New Zealand Want to Remove Bad Memory

New Zealand coach Ricki Herbert will lead his troops against Slovakia, on Tuesday (15 / 6), hoping to erase bad memories 28 years ago in Spain. As a defender of the Kiwi team for the first time appearing in the World Cup, he had tears in their eyes when I discovered just a backup when the New Zealand against Scotland.

New Zealand lost 2-5 in that game, then destroyed the Soviet Union and Brazil. Herbert could never forget when he had to sit on the bench when his country became a month-monthly at their inaugural game at the World Cup finals. The biggest disappointment in soccer career that led him to create a surprise by beating Slovakia with team care.

"I know why we're underdogs, but do not fear anyone," said Herbert was quoted by AFP. "Anything can happen in a competition. If Senegal can beat France (2002), we can beat anybody." Herbert confidence may be New Zealand's biggest weapon when he tried to inspire his troops.

Herbert contagious spirit to striker Chris Killen who must postpone her honeymoon in order to strengthen New Zealand in their second appearance at the World Cup. "This is one of the biggest matches of New Zealand football history," said Killen told AFP. "Laga first in every tournament is always very important. We know, Slovakia is a good team. We should be able to get points on this fight if we want to get away."

Hope Kiwi to play well in South Africa increased after a surprising defeat of Serbia, 1-0, in a friendly, late last month. Killen himself did not appear on it because they have to fight to Scotland to get married. "It would be wonderful if direct honeymoon, but my wife understands the importance of the World Cup."

New Zealand's performance in the game spelled warming up and down. After defeating the Serbs, they then lost to Chile. With two appearances, only gives little indication of how they look in the face of Slovakia which is not too much known although a number of players competing in Europe's top clubs.

New Zealand's defender and captain, Ryan Nelsen, has recovered from an ear infection. However, Tim Brown, recovering from shoulder surgery, likely will not be lowered. Nelsen realized, his team was not favored to win the game, but very confident against Slovakia. "We're not afraid," said Nelsen told Reuters. "The players are very confident, we have a very good striker and playing in top leagues, as well as defender, and midfielder."

New Zealand, which ranks 78th FIFA, is seen as the weakest team in Group F and can qualify to represent Oceania as it took advantage after Australia's move into the Asian confederation after the 2006 World Cup. They easily won the regional qualifier, which is mostly against small countries in the Pacific before beating Bahrain in the play-off party.

The challenge now is to fix the embarrassing record on the World Cup in 1982. Nelsen added that the victory over 15th-ranked team, Serbia, showed that New Zealand can already aligned with the larger teams.

Surprises

Slovakia will be performing for the first time in the World Cup after a split from the Czech. Slovakia coach Vladimir Weiss, who has appeared with the strengthening of Czechoslovakia reached the World Cup quarterfinals in 1990, hoped his team could make a surprise.

Weiss knows, the game against New Zealand will be the greatest opportunity to gain full points in the group that also includes defending champion Italy and Paraguay. Goalkeepers in January Mucha, which appears brilliant throughout qualifying, said, although a new team, they sure would be able to make a surprise.

Midfielder Marek Hamsik added, the first match is very important if they want to advance to the second round. "Laga most important thing is against New Zealand. They are a strong team. We saw it during warm-up against Serbia," Hamsik said that playing with Napoli in Serie A Italian.

Weiss states, they most likely get three full points against the New Zealand attack appeared to be promising. "We will play to win and three points that will give us a good beginning," says Weiss. "Anything, except win, will make things more complicated in the match remaining. New Zealand is a formidable opponent, but I guess we had better quality."

Slovakia has an impressive qualifying record with Hamsik appear extraordinary. However, New Zealand should also be wary of VfL Bochum striker, Stanislav Sestak, and Miroslav Stoch, ever winger for Chelsea. Stoch, who just turned 20 years old, recovering from a knee injury that threatened her absences against New Zealand.

Slovakia's most famous players, Martin Skrtel, Liverpool defender, can also be performed after recovering from an ankle injury. Nevertheless, about fitness could be an issue for Skrtel, who missed the past three months in the English Premier League with a foot injury
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